Kitsap Opera presents devilish tale in 'Faust'

Charles Francois Gounod didn't fool around when he wrote "Faust." Though the 1857 opera is named for an old man looking for young love, the real star is Satan.

The ultimate bad guy does double duty as the suave on-stage charmer and the behind-the-scenes manipulator of a one-sided love affair.

The French composer took the idea of a man who makes a pact with the devil from a long German poetic drama by Goethe. His contribution was dressing up the concept in memorable, lyrical music.

"Anyone who loves pretty songs will enjoy it," said Leone Cottrell-Adkins, director of the production and founder of Kitsap Opera. She picked "Faust" as the work for the company's third season for sentimental reasons. It was her first major singing role.

The opera is making a comeback after a 50-year hiatus with revivals in San Francisco and Vancouver.

The first is his instant appearance when the disillusioned Faust casually calls on the devil's help.

"It doesn't take long for Satan to find out what's eating him," said Cottrell-Adkins. "It's not money or power  it's the love of a young woman."

Satan calls up a vision of the lovely and innocent Marguerite which hooks Faust into a pact to sell his soul for his restored youth and her love. He drinks a magic potion and instantly is transformed into a young, handsome cavalier before the audience's eyes.

From then on, Satan manipulates Faust's courtship of Marguerite, particularly during the famous garden scene when he coaches from the sidelines.

"Everything goes downhill from there," said Cottrell-Adkins. Faust seduces Marguerite and then dumps her. Pregnant and remorseful, she goes to jail and then goes crazy. But she finally beats the devil and ascends to heaven.

Cottrell-Adkins picked seven up-and-coming Northwest singers from a pool of 30 contenders. Playing the title role of Faust is tenor Gino Lucchetti. His credits include roles with Tacoma Opera, Everett Opera, Northwest Savonards and Seattle Camerata Society.

Tickets are $15. They are on sale in advance at Bremerton Community Theater in East Bremerton, DJ's Music in Port Orchard and Kitsap Mall in Silverdale.

* 'FAUST': Kitsap Opera production of Gonoud's opera in French with English supratitles, Oct. 13, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 15 at 3 p.m., $15, 479-2627 and 779-8330.

BREAKING AWAY:

In the closing scenes of Charles Gounod's "Faust," Marguerite, played by Deeji Killian, gives Faust, played by Gino Lucchetti, her final decision  to go with God instead of Satan (watching), played by Thomas Freet. Kitsap Opera opens the production Friday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center.

Staff photo by Lynn Saunders

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